DPRK holds national memorial service for late leader

This TV grab shows that Kim Jong Un (3rd L), vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, attends a national memorial service to mourn late leader Kim Jong Il, in Pyongyang, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), December 29, 2011 ( Image: Xinhua )

TV images show a huge military memorial parade was held in the capital city, and tens of thousands of people were seen on the square.

At the same time, large numbers of Pyongyang residents gathered outside landmark buildings such as the April 25 House of Culture and Pyongyang Railway Station to listen to the broadcast of the ceremony.

'Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and supreme leader of the party, state and army of the country, took the platform,' the state news agency KCNA said.

Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK and chairman of the DPRK's Supreme People's Assembly, hosted the ceremony.

After a performance of the 'Song of General Kim Jong Il,' Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, delivered a memorial speech.

He said Kim Jong Il devoted himself to 'the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche, national reunification and global independence.'